Proverbs 24 — ULB

24Verse 1Do not be envious of those who are evil,
nor desire to associate with them,
^{Verse 2}because their hearts plot violence
and their lips talk about trouble.
^{Verse 3}Through wisdom a house is built
and by understanding it is established.
^{Verse 4}By knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
^{Verse 5}A warrior of wisdom is strong,
and a man of knowledge increases his strength;
^{Verse 6}for by wise direction you can wage your war
and with many advisors there is victory.
^{Verse 7}Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.
^{Verse 8}There is one who plans to do evil—
people call him a master of schemes.
^{Verse 9}A foolish plan is sin
and men despise a mocker.
^{Verse 10}If you become weak with fear in the day of trouble,
then your strength is small.
^{Verse 11}Rescue those who are being taken away to death
and hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter.
^{Verse 12}If you say, “Behold, we knew nothing about this,”
does not the one who weighs the heart understand what you are saying?
The one who guards your life, does he not know it?
Will God not give to each one what he deserves?
^{Verse 13}My son, eat honey because it is good,
because the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
^{Verse 14}Such is wisdom for your soul—
if you find it, there will be a future
and your hope will not be cut off.
^{Verse 15}Do not lie in wait like the wicked person
who attacks the house of the righteous person.
Do not destroy his home!
^{Verse 16}For the righteous person falls down seven times and rises again,
but wicked people are brought down by calamity.
^{Verse 17}Do not celebrate when your enemy falls
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
^{Verse 18}or Yahweh will see and disapprove
and turn away his wrath from him.
^{Verse 19}Do not worry because of evildoers,
and do not envy wicked people,
^{Verse 20}for the evil person has no future
and the lamp of wicked people will go out.
^{Verse 21}Fear Yahweh, and fear the king, my son;
do not associate with those who rebel against them,
^{Verse 22}for suddenly their disaster will come
and who knows the extent of the destruction that will come from both of them?^{Verse 23}These also are sayings of the wise.Partiality in judging a case at law is not good.
^{Verse 24}Whoever says to the wicked person, “You are a righteous person,”
will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.
^{Verse 25}But those who discipline the wicked will have delight
and gifts of goodness will come to them.
^{Verse 26}The one who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.
^{Verse 27}Prepare your outdoor work,
and make everything ready for yourself in the field;
after that, build your house.
^{Verse 28}Do not bear witness against your neighbor without cause
and do not deceive with your lips.
^{Verse 29}Do not say, “I will do to him what he has done to me;
I will pay him back for what he has done.”
^{Verse 30}I went by the field of a lazy man,
past the vineyard of the man having no sense.
^{Verse 31}Thorns had grown up everywhere,
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
^{Verse 32}Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
^{Verse 33}A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
^{Verse 34}and poverty comes marching upon you,
and your needs like an armed soldier.